¶ Von Roon had the soldiers up at 4 o'clock in the morning, incessantly drilling for the oncoming War of the Brothers. The deadly needle-guns--von Roon's secret--were relied on to do superior work in the impending great crisis. ¶ Blood and iron--yes, that is the thing! ¶ About this time, Bismarck executes another master-stroke. He decides to intervene in Poland, in favor of Russia; and certainly he has now to face a "word of wrath." England sets up a cry, "Stop thief!" Exeter Hall statesmen, "brotherhood of man" type, begin tearful whinings. ¶ Louis Napoleon tries to form an alliance between England and Austria, and England offers gold for a copy of the Russo-Prussian agreement, affecting Poland. Spies were everywhere. ¶ Well, 10,000 Poles perish in the sacred cause of liberty, but mark: That in helping Russia Bismarck is laying the foundation for Russia's neutrality in the coming master-stroke against Austria. What do the lives of 10,000 Poles weigh in the balance beside the great strategic necessities to encompass Bismarck's idea of a United Germany? We do believe that Bismarck has the only practical solution, let nominal Christians say what they will. ¶ The next step, to bribe France, is brought about craftily, through a customs' arrangement; and when some of the German states object, Bismarck replies: "You go my way or go your own way, alone!" Also, Italy has to be quieted by soothing promises! ¶ Austria now sets up more wind-baggery and gold lace, in the form of a new parliament, but Bismarck counters with a "proposed German parliament"--a spurious affair to be sure, but the scare has its weight. ¶ Dark and intricate diplomacy here passes before the eyes. Austria fails in her Congress of Sovereigns, and is anxious likewise to retrieve her losses in the Italian war. Bismarck at least knows that Austria henceforth is powerless to inflame German states against Prussia, also that the growth of Liberalism, within Austria's own domains, is again keeping her very busy. ¶ Cast your eyes toward Paris. Louis the Little is secretly plotting with both sides--Bismarck's spies tell all to the old man up in Berlin! Secretly, Louis feels that Prussia will be defeated; the French Emperor aims at what he calls the balance of power--by which he means that while the two big dogs are fighting, he will slip in and steal the bone? Exactly that! ¶ Many years later, Bismarck writing of this period, makes this confession: ¶ "Napoleon secretly thought that if Austria and Prussia clashed, Austria would win and then France would step in and 'protect' Prussia; later on, in return for the price of her French favor, Napoleon III believed he could make such terms as he wished with our Prussia." ¶ Thus, up to the decisive battle of Sadowa, or Koeniggraetz, France remains politely bowing and scraping to both sides--while having her understanding with each side.